Kennel Cough Under the Microscope

Bordetella is also known as kennel cough or canine tracheo-bronchitis. It is a highly contagious respiratory disease among canines, and a high percentage of dogs all over the world suffer from it at least once during their lifetime. Young puppies usually suffer the most severe complications, since they have an under-developed immune system that is still strengthening. Also at an increased risk are the older dogs, whose immune system has weakened. Pregnant or nursing females have a lower immunity to infections and can be at a greater risk for Bordetella.

The symptoms found in dogs include a dry, hacking cough, retching and watery nasal discharge. The most common cause of kennel cough is the Bordetella bronchiseptica bacteria. The images below of Bordetella Haemophilus Pertussis were captured using the Richter Optica U2 biological microscope and a high definition microscope camera.

Canine Whopping Cough under a biological microscope at 400x (plan fluor lens used).

Canine Whopping Cough under a biological microscope at 400x (Achromat lens used).

Canine Whopping Cough under a biological microscope at 100x (Achromat lens used).

Canine Whopping Cough under a biological microscope at 40x (Achromat lens used).